10 Essential OTC Medications for Your Emergency Kit

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Modern medicine has made life easier and longer lasting in so many ways. Most people do not even realize that all of these wonderful things, like aspirin for example, have been around in their current form for only a little over 100 years. Our easy access to so many different medicines over the counter (OTC) is something that will be sorely missed should the S ever hit the fan.

Here are 10 OTC medicines that everyone should have in their emergency supplies, everyday carry and bug out bags.

1. Aspirin/Acetaminophen

First and foremost, there should be both adult and children’s (think chewable!) aspirin in your bag. The pain relief aside, this is excellent for fever reduction, thinning the blood, and aspirin (NOT acetaminophen) helping someone recover from a heart attack or prevent future ones! Acetaminophen is inexpensive and is considered the most successful non-prescription medication in history.

2. Ibuprofen

Also good for pain relief and reducing inflammation and swelling due to menstrual cycles, arthritis or other pain caused by inflammation. It is a fever reducer much like acetaminophen but some can tolerate ibuprofen better.

3. Antacids

In a SHTF situation, people will still get gassy tummies or a lot of acid build-up due to stress and lack of food. Antacids will help with the discomfort and slow damage done to the stomach and esophagus. Ulcers are sure to form and for those who already have them, they will quickly run out of their prescriptions. Examples for stocking up are Tums, Alka-Seltzer, and Rolaids.

4. Antihistamines and Anti-allergens

Allergies will be even worse after SHTF. People will have to be outside more, if for no other reason than to gather, hunt, and grow food. Without electricity, staying inside may become unbearable in hot weather. For those in rural areas, once the prescriptions run out, all that will be left are things like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec. Antihistamines help with the reduction of swelling in the sinuses and assist with overall allergens by blocking the histamines that cause the symptoms.

5. Bismuth Subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)

Also known as pink bismuth, this time-tested medicine covers many digestive system issues. Indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea are just some of the symptoms this medicine helps relieve. Diarrhea can kill if not taken care of, and one of the most important reasons for having something on hand is to keep yourself hydrated to make up for what you lose. Thankfully, this now comes in a convenient chewable pill form and is easy to carry with you.

6. Cough/Mucus Control

Sinus infections, influenza, allergies, damp conditions, and exposure can lead to being stuffed up, unable to breath or get the gunk out. Coming in both pill and liquid forms, this medicine has saved many people from a doctor visit (and bill). Other than providing relief for the ones who are ill, it can also help protect those who are not. If those who are sick are coughing a lot, the sickness has a better chance to spread.

7. Laxatives

No one wants to think about this but when their body forces them to, they will be eternally grateful for the little pill or chew that will relieve their discomfort. When in a SHTF situation occurs, what kinds of foods and how much or how often can result in constipation. If left untreated, constipation can kill.

8. Sleep Aides

In any major upset in your life, sleepless nights are often a side effect of the stress. Many people have troubles with, “turning their brain off,” so they can sleep. I would imagine that cases of insomnia will rise exponentially and in a post-disaster scenario, sleep will be more important than ever before. Your ability to make decisions and good judgments will be hindered from a prolonged lack of sleep. There are so many options for sleeping aides out there; I will leave it to you to decide which is best. Also consider natural remedies, such as lavender essential oil or dried lavender.

9. Saline Spray/Solution

Saline solution is another wonderful thing to have with you. Even a small bottle could save someone from infections or aid in another way. I am all for having versatile resources that have more than one use. Saline solution can help with wound irrigation, eye and sinus flushing, and of course cleaning your contact lenses.

10. Vitamins

SO MANY people overlook simple vitamins when talking about medicinal items to store and carry for emergencies. In my opinion, vitamins are more important than any of the other things listed here. In a post-disaster scenario, everyone who did not prepare will be suffering from a ‘lack.’ A lack of food, perhaps clean water, sanitation, and assuredly a vitamin deficiency will be all too common.

Your body needs vitamins and minerals to function normally. Your immune system will be fighting off bacteria and viruses at a higher rate, particularly in urban settings, and will need extra nutrients, vitamins, and minerals to help with the process. When it finds none, it will attack the muscles or other organs to get what it needs.

All of the above are easily bought over the counter without a prescription. Before you go out on a buying spree, though, take a look at your medicine cabinet and pull out all of the stuff stashed in there. Check expiration dates and keep them rotated.

Also, consider those who may be coming to you for help and if you are able to, buy a little extra for trade or barter. A bottle of 500 ibuprofen pills is small and easy to pack, not to mention worth a small fortune in a post-disaster situation. NOW is the time to get this checked off your preparedness list, when you can consider things in a calm and logical manner.

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Comments

Keeping in mind certain things… *good* vitamins can be a boost but are not an exact replacement for finding long term food variety… some of the meds listed above do more damage on an empty stomach. People having inflammation with their stomach/intestines generally will need to stay away from ibuprofen, and diarrhea caused by parasites is best NOT treated with a diarrhea med, etc. While it’s good for everyone to own the basics, they should also educate themselves fully about meds, common health conditions, supplements (how they work, how well they work, etc) and nutrition (especially in terms of changing diet to wild foods if it turns out it isn’t safe to stay someplace and you have to bug out).

Diphenhydramine is often the most common ingredient in sleep aides, so if you buy that for allergies, you have it for sleep/sedation as well. You can use it to help someone sick or injured to rest and heal, but don’t use it on someone with a head injury.

Also, it is a twin brother to the most common OTC medication for nausea, so it has a triple use.

Pink bismuth is certainly useful for upset stomach and diarrhea, but Loperimide is generally more effective and faster acting. However, you only want to give something for diarrhea as a last resort. Often your body can flush pathogens and toxins from your GI tract naturally, and it is the protracted diarrhea that is obviously your enemy.

Multi-vitamins are indeed important to have, but if you are on the move, electrolyte replacement is important. Potassium and magnesium are two important minerals.

There’s much else to say, but if you have acid reflux and no antacids or PPI’s on hand, clean water is your best medicine as it will dilute the acid in your GI tract. See if sleeping head elevated and/or on your side helps.

Great list, except I feel that aspirin and acetaminophen shouldn’t be grouped together if you have children. Children should never be given Aspirin. It can cause Reye’s syndrome. Children should stick to acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Aspirin is great for adults, though.

I’m a newbie too and have been enjoying your blog. My husband is a paramedic and we have a lot of basic supplies on hand already. I’m just wondering how you store these items for longevity. In sealed original containers in a sealed 5 gallon bucket? Just on shelves?

I would think having some pretty heavy duty pain killers on hand would be a good idea in case of a severe injury without medical facilities available. I don’t even take any pain killers as a rule, but if I had an injury like a broken leg, or had to have a home surgery (I hope never) I would hope to have some T3’s at least.

Good list! I travel frequently to Africa, and a lot of these are things we always take. I’d suggest liqui-gels for ibuprofen since they’re well tolerated on an empty stomach. Loratadin is best for the runs, and you should try to have a “travelers diarrhea” Rx of antibiotic (it’s usually 3 doses of a z-pack, or, for kids, a one dose powder you mix in water or other fluid). You can buy single electrolyte packets, and also some melt-on-your-tongue ones (taste bad but work!). I get migraines, so having something like Bayer Migraine on hand is key!

Nice list. My medicine bag also contains most of these things. But the one thing I always travel with is diarrhea medication. Mostly since you don’t know where you end up eating. It’s saved me at least a couple of times over the past many years.

I have plenty of essential oils, raw apple cider vinegar,and Manuka honey on hand. I never resort to any of the things on the list but instead use natural remedies if at all possible. The other day, a wasp stung me and I came in the house and made a paste of baking soda and a little bit of water….the pain went away immediately. I then put a little lavender essential oil on it. There is lots of info online about natural alternatives. I love my essential oils tho and have been using them for 20 years. I am sure the list you have provided is excellent tho and very important for us to have too! Thanks!

The oils are bottled in dark glass containers, which helps protect them from the light. Store them in a cool location and they should last at least 5 years. I personally use mostly Young Living oils, but friends of mine love doTerra and Sparks. If you look around the internet, you’ll find articles that compare various oil companies.

dear friends
these are the basic items that I have had all ten in both my medical bag and my personal bag Since I work Red Cross shelter and Soup kitchen for many years I found that I have had to have two sets of bags ; One that I guard with my life while the other was always Quick to throw at anyone who Panic Scream and then TAKE then DEMAND MORE
I HAVE some thing to say which most will ignore but the daily allowance is some thing that US Gov. National Instru. Health / US Army dream up for the minimal about of Vitamins and Minerals THAT a Person needs to stay a life I personally try to keep a tiny bottle 60 PER Caplets of max amount of one a day Vitamins / Minerals for a 72 hours bags and larger bottle 500 caplets per 30 day supplies the others around you will be asking something to boost everything so to have extra is really needed even sleep aids after giving B-12 TO THE GUARDS / POLICE YOU’LL NEED TO HAVE in another pocket of hard sweet candy to claim that worker and/or child who is worry the shelter roof coming off like it’s home did …

I read you article and would like to let you know that I just created a medication emergency kit. It has many of the items you mention. I created because when my daughters were going away to college I could not find anything on the market that suited me.

An 11th item I would include is Vick’s Vapor Rub. I has a lot of uses medicinal as well as fire starting, insect repellent, lubricant for tools and other equipment.
I would also include Naproxen. One tablet every 12 hours can make joint pain bearable. I would still take Ibuprofen because of it’s anti inflammatory uses. This can help muscles recover quicker after exertion.

[…] your prescriptions and go to the pharmacy and get any refills you can. While there, stock up on the over-the-counter medications your family typically needs. 5. Check your water supplies. Are all containers filled and in good […]